The two met with about 100 leaders of various Filipino community organizations during a lunch forum at Cinta-J restaurant in Wan Chai organized by Gabriela-Hong Kong and United Filipinos in Hong Kong, before addressing thousands of El Shaddai members on Chater Road.

The two took the opportunity to discuss their platforms of government, and why they see working for the welfare of overseas Filipino workers as important.

"Tinatanong ako ng mga tao bakit tumutulong ako sa mga OFWs. Ang sabi ko, sa pamamagitan ng mga OFW nalalaman ko ang mga problema ng ating bansa." (People ask why I've been helping OFWs. I tell them that through the OFWs I get to learn the problems of our country), said Villar.

Villar admitted that one difficult thing about becoming a president is the magnitude of the responsibility that comes with it.

"Hindi ka tumatakbo dahil ikaw ay mananalo. Tumatakbo ka dahil sa tingin mo ay kaya mo yan. Nakahanda ka na (You are not running because you will win. You are doing so because you think you can. You are ready)," said Villar, who drew applause from his supporters.

In response to his staunch critics back home, Villar said: "I am not saying I should be the only one you should vote for but, rather, we should have a record of what we have done.

"Maglahadan kami kasi nakakahiya sa ating mga kabababayan. Dapat pagtuntong mo dun sa entablado, may kakayahan at nagawa ka rin. (We should lay down what we have done because it's embarrassing. Once you go on stage, you should have the ability and accomplishments)."

His running mate, Legarda, lost no time in outlining her plans.

"Pare-pareho ho ang ating ipinaglalaban, di ba? Na itaas ang antas ng kabuhayan, mawala ang katiwalian at magkapantay-pantay sa panahon ng paghihirap ngayon, (We're all fighting for the same reasons, aren't we? _ that we improve our lives, get rid of graft and corruption, and have equality in these times of hardship," Legarda said.

The senator who has been dubbed a "political butterfly" by those critical of her penchant for flitting from one political group to another, won cheers when she said her platform includes plugging the loopholes in the country's education and healthcare systems.

Legarda also promised free medicines to the poor, saying the government can afford this, if it would only get rid of the 40 percent allowance for "systems loss" or corruption.

She also emphasized that nutritious food and free education come together.

"Hindi sapat yung libre (Free is not enough). Basic needs po ang approach," she stressed.

Asked what makes her and her running mate Villar distinct from the others, Legarda said the heart is important.

"Mahalaga ang karanasan at katalinuhan pero importante rin yung puso na alam ang problema at merong solusyon at gagampanan ang pangangalaga at pagkalinga at pag-aruga. (Experience and intellect are valuable, but it is also important to have a heart that feels the problems, knows the solutions, and provides care, comfort and attention."